Lancers Get Revenge Against The Bucs On The Road
April 2, 2023 - United States Hockey League (USHL)
Omaha Lancers News Release
DES MOINES, IA. - The Lancers headed to Buccaneer Arena for a rematch with the Des Moines Buccaneers after falling on home ice 2-0 yesterday evening (3/31).
Michael Hrabal got the call to start between the pipes for Omaha again tonight after having a great outing in the first matchup of the weekend. Stopping 23 of 24 shots faced, good for a 0.958 save percentage. Only allowing a goal from Owen West on a hectic, bouncing puck play deep in the Lancers' defensive zone.
Forward, Jack Reimann managed to seal the game with and empty net goal from the red line with 19 second left in regulation, to take the two-goal victory for Des Moines.
Time to qualify for a Clark Cup Playoff spot is dwindling for the Lancers has they find themselves ten points out of a post-season spot with just nine games to go in the regular season.
Both offenses came out firing in the first period as Des Moines led in the shot count 12-11 through 20 minutes, but the Lancers salvaged the only goal.
After collecting a loose puck in Omaha's zone, Chase Cheslock skipped a pass to Adam Cardona who stretched the puck up to Nick Pierre breaking into the attacking end. After a save by Max Lundgren, Pierre and Buccaneer Defenseman, Alex Pineau slid into the Swedish netminder. Following the collision, the puck slipped behind the goal line. Handing the Lancers the 1-0 lead that they carried into the first intermission.
The Buccaneers controlled the majority of the second frame, holding the Lancers to just six shots on goal compared to their ten. And in the process, tied the game.
While on the power-play, Lancers' goaltender, Michael Hrabal sent the puck up the boards where it skipped out front, right onto the stick of Jack Reimann who sent a blistering slap shot to the top shelf, locking the game at one goal apiece.
Both team's penalty kills were dominant through 40 minutes; with Des Moines going 0/4 and Omaha held to 0/2 on the man advantage.
The third period consisted of sloppy play in the neutral zone and random "broken-play" style scoring chances between the two squads. But with both teams putting up ten third period shots, only Hrabal was able to keep all ten out of his net.
With just 4:34 left in regulation, Tucker Shedd jumped in on a play formed by Cheslock and Pierre, resulting in him sending a wrist shot from the top of the right-side faceoff circle, beating Lundgren glove side to take the 2-1 lead. That goal would end up being the game-winner, and handed Pierre and Cheslock multi-point nights.
Des Moines pulled Lundgren from the net with just under 90 seconds left in the matchup for the extra attacker, as Tanner Rowe put the nail in the coffin with a 60-foot shot, unassisted, taking the 3-1 victory for Omaha.
The Lancers improve to 41 points on the year, putting them eight points out of a Clark Cup Playoff spot with eight games remaining in the regular season.
The Lancers will hit the road to take on the Tri-City Storm in Kearney, Nebraska on Tuesday, April 4th for a rare midweek matchup. Puck is set to drop at 7:05PM CST. That game can be caught on Mixlr and FloSports.
United States Hockey League Stories from April 2, 2023
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- Lancers Get Revenge Against The Bucs On The Road - Omaha Lancers
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- The Aftermath: Storm Defeats Stampede on Youth Hockey Night - Tri-City Storm
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